UC50? Time scale?

[mum2000]

Good afternoon all

My daughter left education in July. She has severe learning difficulties and autism. She is non verbal and understands very little We have to do everything for her. Dress, bath and feed her etc. We applied for universal credits for her. . We then had to fill in the US50 questionnaire. This is to prove that she will be unfit to work. Health and conditions and disability. This was back in October 2021. We have been informed by her work coach that it will take 18 months for her interview and the money that she is entitled to will not be back dated. That quite alot per month to lose. This seems so unfair. Has anyone been through this, and how long does it really take?

[Jofisher]

That can’t be right go to your MP and speak to Mencap helpline and the disability rights organisation. There’s no way I would accept that not a chance. There’s also the carers association and I would consider getting an independent mental capacity advocate for your daughter. I wish you luck

[mum2000 in reply to Jofisher]

Just emailed mencap.

[Jofisher in reply to mum2000]

My son has similar needs to your daughter he is on PIP and Employment support allowance he’s 29 in a few months. I’m also his deputy for property and finance and health and well being

[mum2000]

The UC told me that the imformtion was only correct if it came from them. Have you been through this as well with UC?

[BenjiB]

That’s ridiculous. It took about 3 months and was backdated. My son received basic rate to start and then once he was assessed as unable to work he got the higher rate, all backdated.

[mum2000 in reply to BenjiB]

She has received the basic rate, which was paid within six weeks, it is the "unable to work at the higher rate" that the waiting time of 18 months has been applied The waiting time for assessment for unfit to work interview for limited capability for work and work-related activity’ element

[BenjiB]

It’s ridiculous. I’m sure it was 13 weeks exactly with my son.

[mum2000 in reply to BenjiB]

I know it has already been 15 weeks and we haven’t heard anything.

[CoyoteU]

I think it took less then that to get an interview when I used to sign on myself. The wait may be slightly due to Covid staffing issues but even so that still does seem ages!

[mum2000 in reply to CoyoteU]

I can only quote what I got told by my daughter’s work coach. I only posted it as it has been bugging me since I spoke to the work coach

[SamCJ66]

I applied for LCWRA in 2020 and eventually received about 6 months later. As far as I remember, and assuming the rules haven't changed, you can't be awarded LCWRA for the first 3 months of UC as you have to supply 'unfit for work' certificates for 3 months before the extra benefits can be avoided. For those 3 months your daughter wont get this extra payment. However, she will get the payment back paid while the DWP are looking into her case. Did you provide evidence of her condition when you filled in the form? I included my sons EHCP, a letter from his GP and one from CAMHS. The DWP will contact the relevant departments and await their reply. Hopefully, it'll be quite a cut and dry case and it won't take 18 months. But it is still ridiculous that kids like ours have to provide 3 months of certificates before they can apply for LWCRA - as if their condition will suddenly improve after a lifetime of being the way they are.

[mum2000 in reply to SamCJ66]

Thanks for that. We don’t use CAMHS and it wasn't until covid the GP put her down as being disabled, even though she has sever learning difficulties and epilepsy to go with her Autism. Plus me as a carer. But the GP has given her an indefinitely sick note, which I had to email to LWCRA

[SamCJ66]

My so has a mental age of about 5 with autism and anxiety (luckily he grew out of the epilepsy). We only had contact with CAHMS, due to his autism diagnosis. Did a paediatrician diagnose your daughters epilepsy or has she been transferred to a specialist, now that she is an 'adult'. Either way, these consultants (or anyone who has been involved with her care or educational needs) can give you a letter to add to her DWP file and it doesn't really matter if your daughter isn't seeing them now. If she had a school care plan then you can also submit that. The more info they have, then they will know precisely who to contact. Good luck

[mum2000]

Thank you for your help. Fingers crossed it will be six month like you.

[Bergersil400]

I was just wondering Employment support Allowance might be better suited than UC.? I thought that those with more profound disabilities would be on this support as they will never be in a position to be available for work whereas UC is more a benefit for those in low paid work orxserking work?My daughter is age 26, and no such thing as UC in 2014, and she has been on the support allowance not job seekers since about 3 months after leaving school. She has had a couple of assessments but the money is paid every 2 weeks into an account I set up to include PIP, which I can access on her behalf. You shouldn't need to wait more than a few weeks for a meeting with the transitions team, who will be able to help you navigate the various benefits.

[49Twister in reply to Bergersil400]

I think everyone who is on ESA is eventually being moved onto universal credit, so any new applicants will need to claim UC. I’m sure that’s the case.

[Bergersil400 in reply to 49Twister]

I heard that too somewhere. I hope a long way down the line as someone who is non verbal and has a host of personal and health and safety needs like my daughter will never be able to navigate the system.Interestingly even with the ESA assessment in 2014 I remember them saying that a face to face assessment would be needed at the job centre. I persuaded them to do it at our home. The assessment was over in 5 minutes, as once the admin questions dealt with they could see by looking at her that she would never be able to be employable either paid or voluntary.

In the present climate it would be very difficult for those in the support group to be assessed via zoom. The powers that be fail to realise that one size doesn't fit all

[mum2000]

Morning all, Just want to give a update. After your help I wrote to our local MP and with in 10 days we had an appointment for my daugther's assessment, which was yesterday. We have now received the report. Just got to wait now to see how much she will get and if there will be any back payment from DWP